Ferguson defeated fellow King County Councilman Reagan Dunn (R) in the 2012 election by a margin of 53.5 percent to 46.5 percent.[1]

An attorney by trade, Ferguson entered politics in 2003 when he was elected to the King County Council. He served in this position until his election as attorney general.[2]

Biography

Ferguson is a fourth generation Washingtonian, born into a large family in Queen Ann Hill. He is one of seven children, and an internationally-rated chess champion. After high school, he considered pursuing a career as a chess player, but ultimately decided that "the solitary life wasn't for him."[3] Ferguson opted instead to attend University of Washington, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1983.

He left his home state to attend law school at New York University School of Law, but returned to Washington following graduation to launch his legal career at prestigious Seattle firm Preston, Gates & Ellis, which later became K&L Gates. Ferguson made his first bid for public office in 2003 when he campaigned for, and won election to, the King County Council.[3]

Education

Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Washington (1983)

J.D. from New York University School of Law (1995)

Political Career

Attorney General of Washington (2013-present)

Ferguson was first elected attorney general on November 6, 2012. He was sworn into office on January 16, 2013.

Ferguson's official profile lists his top priorities as attorney general as follows:[2]

"Protecting consumers and seniors against fraud by cracking down on powerful interests that don’t play by the rules"

"Keeping communities safer by supporting law enforcement"

"Protecting our environment"

"Standing up for our veterans by advocating for service men and women and their families"

Arlene's Flowers and Gifts

In April 2013, Ferguson filed suit against Barronelle Stutzman, the owner of Arlene's Flowers and Gifts, after she refused to provide flowers for a gay couple's wedding. He first advised her to reconsider her decision and then filed a consumer protection suit against her, stating "it is unlawful to discriminate against customers based on sexual orientation."[4] Stutzman's attorney questioned Ferguson's legal standing to sue. The case was seen as a test of the state's same-sex marriage law that went into effect in 2012. In response to the suit, Stutzman filed a counter suit, saying her rights were being violated.[5]

King County Councilman (2003-2013)

Ferguson's political background includes three terms, representing two districts, on the King County Council. Since his first election in 2003, in which he ran a grassroots campaign resulting in the ousting of a 20 year incumbent, he distinguished himself as a leader in creating reforms for increased government transparency and accountability of elected officials to taxpayers.[6]

Ferguson was elected Attorney General of Washington in the 2012 general election. Washington has a top-two primary system, in which the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, go on to the general election.[7] He faced two Republican challengers - fellow King County Councilman Reagan Dunn and Stephen Pidgeon - in the primary election on August 7, and received the highest number of votes, securing one of two available slots on the general election ballot.[8] The other slot went to Dunn (R), with whom he squared off on November 6, 2012.[9] The night after the polls closed, on November 7, 2012, the race was called for Ferguson.[10]

Issues

Voter-ID legislation

During a debate with primary challenger Reagan Dunn (prefers Republican party), Ferguson said he would like to address Washington's status as one of only two states (the other is New Mexico) to issue drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. He agrees with Dunn that Washington's leniency makes the state an unwanted attraction for non-citizens, and proposes a solution similar to the "Utah model," wherein undocumented residents can be issued a Driving Privilege Card, which "authorizes non–citizens to drive a vehicle, but the card cannot be used as government–issued ID. So, you couldn't use it to board a plane or set up a bank account."[11]

Transparency

According to his official campaign website, Ferguson wrote the law that reformed the county's public records process to ensure that citizens can easily obtain records and monitor their government, becoming "the first King County elected official to open up the details of the County budget to policy makers and citizens to see exactly how your tax dollars are being spent."[12]

Consumer Protection

At a campaign stop in Port Angeles in April, Ferguson said he wants the Attorney General's Office to be more active on issues such as large banks engaging in predatory behaviors, like robo-signing mortgage documents. “Folks are struggling, they need to have someone in office who is an advocate for consumers,” he said.

Marijuana

Ferguson interviewed with a reporter from a Seattle television station in June, in which he said he was against the legalization of marijuana. He explained that he supports the state's current medical marijuana law, but “I understand that and we have budget pressures at the state much like we do at the county, but I don’t think that’s reason enough to support a change that significant.”[13]

Same-sex marriage

In the same interview, Ferguson said that he supports marriage equality, a position he says he’s held that position ever since first campaigning for King County Council. “I will be supporting the state legislative action this year,” he said of the upcoming Referendum 74.[13]

Gun control

Prompted by the movie theater shootings in Colorado, The Seattle Times interviewed the attorney general primary candidates about their positions on gun control. While his competitors were outspoken in their opposition to any further restrictions on gun ownership, either on a state or federal level, Ferguson declined to provide his stance on the issue apart from affirming, "I strongly support the right to bear arms."[14] On specific gun control measures such as a proposed assault weapons ban, or compulsory background checks at gun shows, he remained adamant that he's running for attorney general and, "In that capacity, my job is to defend and enforce our existing laws. That's what I've been focused on."[15]

Endorsements

Ferguson was endorsed by Democratic Gov.Christine Gregoire as well as this list of public and private sector individuals and organizations:[16]

Statewide Organizations for Ferguson

Washington State Patrol Troopers Association

Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest

NARAL Pro-Choice Washington

Washington Conservation Voters

Sierra Club

County Prosecutors for Ferguson

Andy Miller, Benton County

Russ Hauge, Kitsap County

Randall K. Gaylord, San Juan County

Dan Bigelow, Wahkiakum County

Steward Menefee, Grays Harbor County

Adam Kick, Skamania County

Karl Sloan, Okanogan County

Scott Rosekrans, Jefferson County

Tom Metzger, Pend Oreille County

David Burke, Pacific County

Greg Banks, Island County

Jon Tunheim, Thurston County

Sue Baur, Cowlitz County

Rich Weyrich, Skagit County

Labor Organizations for Ferguson

Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Washington Education Association

Washington State Nurses Association

Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council

Washington State Retired Public Employees Council

SEIU

International Association of Firefighters Local 29

International Association of Firefighters Local 1789

International Longshore Warehouse Union Local 23

Aerospace Machinists 751

IBEW Local 46

IBEW Local 48

IBEW Local 76

IBEW Local 77

IBEW Local 112

IBEW Local 191

IBEW Local 984

Sheet Metal Workers Local 66

The Laborer's Local 440

King County and Seattle Building and Construction Trades Council

United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers

Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council

IUOE Operating Engineers

Public Safety Employees Union

Unite Here Local 8

Central Puget Sound Carpenters Local 3

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District 5

Joint Council of Teamsters

Asbestos Workers International Union Local 7

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21

United Association Local 32

United Association Local 598

Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters

Public Safety Guilds for Ferguson

King County Corrections Guild

King County Juvenile Detention Guild

King County Court Protection Officers

Democratic Organizations for Ferguson

Kitsap County Democratic Women

Benton County Democrats

Clallam County Democrats

Grays Harbor County Democrats

Island County Democrats

King County Democrats

Klickitat County Democrats

Pacific County Democrats

San Juan County Democrats

Spokane County Democrats

Whitman County Democrats

Yakima County Democrats

7th LD Democrats

10th LD Democrats

11th LD Democrats

24th LD Democrats

34th LD Democrats

41st LD Democrats

43rd LD Democrats

46th LD Democrats

Statewide Leaders for Ferguson

Chris Gregoire, Governor

Patty Murray, Senator

Albert Rosellini, Former Governor

Mike Lowry, Former Governor

Peter Goldmark, Lands Commissioner

Members of Congress for Ferguson

Jay Inslee

Adam Smith

Jim McDermott

Sheriffs for Ferguson

John Lovick, Snohomish County

County Executives for Ferguson

Dow Constantine, King County

County Commissioners for Ferguson

Lynda Ring Erickson, Mason County

Steve Stuart, Clark County

Josh Brown, Kitsap County

County Councilmembers for Ferguson

Larry Gossett, King County

Joe McDermott, King County

Julia Patterson, King County

Larry Phillips, King County

Stephanie Wright, Snohomish County

State Senators for Ferguson

Margarita Prentice (11th District)

Karen Fraser (22nd District)

Derek Kilmer (26th District)

Karen Keiser (33rd District)

Sharon Nelson (34th District)

Jeanne Kohl-Welles (36th District)

Nick Harper (38th District)

Adam Kline (37th District)

Ed Murray (43rd District)

David Frockt (46th District)

Rodney Tom (48th District)

State Representatives for Ferguson

Luis Moscoso (1st District)

Derek Stanford (1st District)

Brian Blake (19th District)

Sam Hunt (22nd District)

Chris Rejkdal (22nd District)

Drew Hansen (23rd District)

Connie Ladenburg (29th District)

Mark Miloscia (30th District)

Cindy Ryu (32nd District)

Ruth Kagi (32nd District)

Dave Upthegrove (33rd District)

Joe Fitzgibbon (34th District)

Fred Finn (35th District)

Reuven Carlyle (36th District)

Eric Pettigrew (37th District)

Frank Chopp (43rd District)

Jamie Pedersen (43rd District)

Roger Goodman (45th District)

Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney (46th District)

Mayors for Ferguson

Marilyn Strickland, City of Tacoma

Dave Hutchinson, City of Lake Forest Park

Michael McGinn, City of Seattle

Charlie Royer, Former Mayor, City of Seattle

Jean Garber, Former Mayor, City of Newcastle

City Attorneys for Ferguson

Pete Holmes, City of Seattle

Mark Sidran, Former City of Seattle Attorney

Regional Leaders for Ferguson

Rob Holland, Port Commissioner

John Creighton, Port Commissioner

Doug Lasher, Clark County Treasurer

City Councilmembers for Ferguson

Brian Bennett, City of Burien

Bob Hensel, City of Kenmore

Dwight Thompson, City of Lake Forest Park

Catherine Stanford, City of Lake Forest Park

Chris Eggen, City of Shoreline

Will Hall, Deputy Mayor, City of Shoreline

Shari Winstead, City of Shoreline

Chris Roberts, City of Shoreline

DeSean Quinn, City of Tukwila

Sally Clark, City of Seattle

Sally Bagshaw, City of Seattle

Tom Rasmussen, City of Seattle

Bruce Harrell, City of Seattle

Tim Burgess, City of Seattle

Peter Steinbrueck, former Councilmember, City of Seattle

DJ Wilson, City of Edmonds

Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, City of Edmonds

Don Fiene, City of Lake Forest Park

Donald Fiene, City of Lake Forest Park

John Wright, City of Lake Forest Park

Dave Asher, City of Kirkland

Jennifer Gregorson, City of Mukilteo

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Ferguson is available dating back to 2012. Based on available campaign finance records, Ferguson raised a total of $1,686,939 during that time period. This information was last updated on May 7, 2013.[17]

Bob Ferguson's Campaign Contribution History

Year

Office

Result

Contributions

2012

Attorney General of Washington

$1,686,939

Grand Total Raised

$1,686,939

2012

Ferguson won election to the position of Attorney General of Washington in 2012. During that election cycle, Ferguson raised a total of $1,686,939.